Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao - prediction, team news, lineups

Atletico, who sit fourth in the table, will enter the contest off the back of a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo, while seventh-placed Athletic were 2-1 winners at Valencia in their fixture in Spain's top flight.

Match preview

There is immense pressure on Atletico to finish their La Liga season strongly, as the club only have league football to focus on for the remainder of the campaign, having finished bottom of their Champions League group towards the end of last year, meaning that there is no European football for the rest of the season.

Diego Simeone's side were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Real Madrid at the end of January, but their recent form in La Liga has been strong, picking up 11 points from their last five matches, which has left them in fourth position in the table on 38 points.

The Red and Whites are now just four points behind third-placed Real Sociedad, but they are also only four points clear of fifth-placed Real Betis, so the capital giants are far from comfortable in the top four.

Atletico were 1-0 winners over Celta in the league last weekend, with January arrival Memphis Depay coming up with the winner in the 89th minute of the contest in Vigo.

Simeone's team are back at home this weekend, but they have disappointed at Wanda Metropolitano this season, only picking up 15 points from 10 matches, boasting just the 13th-best record in the division.

Athletic, meanwhile, will also believe that they are in a top-four race at this stage of the season, with a total of 32 points from 21 matches leaving them seventh, six points behind Atletico on the same number of games.

Ernesto Valverde's side have been victorious in three of their last four matches in all competitions, including their last two in Spain's top flight against Cadiz and Valencia.

Athletic are present in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, meanwhile, preparing to take on Osasuna in the first leg of their last-four clash on March 1 before the return fixture three days later.

The team's immediate focus will be on the league, though, as they look to claim a top-four position for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign.

The Lions have had mixed results on their travels in La Liga this season, winning three, drawing three and losing four of their 10 matches, while they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Atletico when the two teams locked horns for the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Atletico Madrid La Liga form:

L

D

W

W

D

W

Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

D

W

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

D

L

L

L

W

W

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

W

W

Team News

Atletico have no injury concerns heading into this match, but they will be without the services of Stefan Savic, who picked up a red card in the win over Celta last time out.

Jose Gimenez is likely to be introduced into the starting XI, with Simeone potentially changing formation for this match, switching to a back three after playing a 4-3-3 in Vigo.

Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata are again expected to feature in the final third of the field, with Angel Correa and Memphis likely to be among the substitutes for the first whistle.

As for Athletic, Yuri Berchiche is back after serving a suspension against Valencia, but there is no change to their injury situation, with Ander Herrera and Inigo Martinez both out.

Inaki Williams is expected to be back in the starting side for this match, while Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet will also feature in attacking positions for the visitors.

Oier Zarraga is likely to be introduced to strengthen the midfield, with Iker Muniain, Alex Berenguer and Raul Garcia potentially dropping down to the bench at Wanda Metropolitano.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Reinildo, Gimenez, Hermoso; Molina, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Carrasco; Griezmann, Morata

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Alvarez, Lekue; Zarraga, Vesga; N Williams, Sancet, I Williams; Guruzeta

We say: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Athletic Bilbao

This is a tough match for Atletico, and Athletic will fancy their chances of picking up a positive result in Sunday's affair. It would certainly not be a surprise to see a draw in Madrid, but we just have a feeling that Atletico will have enough quality to navigate their way to an important three points.

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